France to give 24-hour protection to Israeli Olympics team  

Israeli athletes will receive 24-hour protection during the Paris Olympics, France's interior minister said on Monday, after a far-left lawmaker said Israel's delegation was not welcome and called for protests against their participation.

French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said in a TV interview Israeli athletes would be protected around the clock during the Games, which begin on Friday.

At a pro-Gaza rally on Saturday, far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party lawmaker Thomas Portes was filmed saying Israel's Olympic athletes were not welcome in France, and that there should be protests against their taking part in the Games.

On Monday, Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne told a meeting of European Union counterparts in Brussels: "I want to say that on behalf of France, to the Israeli delegation, we welcome you to France for these Olympic Games."